The Coin

I received a somewhat cryptic email from my Supervisor this week, stating I needed to meet the Director in the building that now houses Human Resources for a "surprise." Before I could get all paranoid-crazy anticipating a pinkslip, she told me it was a "good" surprise.  Since she is my fourth Supervisor and third Service during the multiple attempts at service line restructuring over the past year, a small part of me still wondered if her definition of workplace "good"  was the same as mine. I work for the Federal Government after all--a place where system problem work-arounds and oxymorons abound...

As soon as the Director started reading the letter, I knew what this was about, and relief started to wash over me.

I was one of 13 people, spanning inpatient and outpatient services, and at least 6 Service Lines, being recognized for helping meet the very complex needs of a Veteran, who without immediate intervention, would die, probably within days. My part in the unfolding drama was minute.

On the one hand, I am extremely honored and humbled to be recognized for the small part I played.  On the other hand, I continue to extol the efforts of my coworkers, who daily meet the very complex needs of our Veterans, without fanfare, kudos, or even thanks. In fact, many times other services and professions receive the honor, recognition, and thanks for what we have set into place behind the scenes. Luckily the three of us are intrinsically motivated and don't work our daily miracles to gain the limelight.  The same can be said of the rest of my Service Line Coworkers, who are national leaders in truely Intergrated Case Management.  Still, it's nice to have our efforts valued and acknowledged from time to time--even if the original letter placed me in the wrong profession, and did not recall my last name (that humbled me!).

Our new Director told us he would be passing each of us the newest minting of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System Director's Coin. I received one of the old school coins, from an outgoing Director a few years back, so I anxiously awaited the opportunity to view the new changes (the photos on my Facebook page have my old coin in the upper left, and the newest coin in the lower right).

I was also still a tiny bit uneasy--at least until I peeked, with trepidation, at the object slipped into my hand during The Handshake and saw, much to my relief...nothing pink.